In the palace.

The seven cabinet ministers all moved to the side hall.

Today’s court deliberations had run very late. The Emperor had granted them a meal, saying he wanted to dine with his ministers—something that hadn’t happened in quite some time.

Walking at the rear, Xie Daozhi pondered the deeper meaning of the Emperor’s recent words.

“Minister Xie.”

Xie Daozhi looked toward the voice and saw a young eunuch hiding in a corner, poking out half his head and desperately signaling with his eyes.

Xie Daozhi glanced at the people ahead, then quickly turned and walked over. “What is it?”

The young eunuch stood on tiptoe, covering his mouth as he whispered rapidly in Xie Daozhi’s ear. Before he’d even finished, Xie Daozhi’s face had turned iron gray.

“Is this news certain?”

“Absolutely certain.”

“Thank you, young sir.”

He pulled out the silver from his sleeve and stuffed it all into the young eunuch’s hands before hurrying back to rejoin the other cabinet ministers, calling out loudly:

“Ministers, please go ahead. This official needs to use the privy.”

“Minister Xie, you’re not that old—why the frequent urination lately?”

“Kidney deficiency.”

Those two words shut everyone’s mouths, and Xie Daozhi hurried away.

Only when he reached a deserted area did his pace slow.

Third mysteriously disappeared?

This was simply incredible.

Forget about Third’s subordinates at the five patrol offices—just Zhu Qing alone couldn’t possibly do nothing and allow Third to be abducted.

Others didn’t know Zhu Qing’s identity, but he understood it perfectly.

Xie Daozhi stroked the beard on his chin, gazing into the distance. After a long while, he finally made up his mind…

In the side hall, the monarch and ministers had already taken their seats.

Emperor Yonghe’s gaze swept over the empty seat at the lower end. “Where is Minister Xie?”

A eunuch respectfully replied, “Your Majesty, Minister Xie has gone to relieve himself.”

Emperor Yonghe smiled. Even he, exalted as the Son of Heaven, couldn’t avoid such base matters.

Just then, Xie Daozhi hurried into the hall.

Everyone’s eyes focused on him, only to discover his face was deathly pale.

Xie Daozhi walked straight before the Emperor, bent his leg, and knelt. “Your Majesty, a sudden crisis has occurred in this minister’s household. I beg Your Majesty to permit this minister to leave the palace.”

Emperor Yonghe frowned slightly. “What crisis?”

Xie Daozhi’s brow furrowed, looking reluctant to elaborate.

“Speak!”

“Your Majesty, this minister’s third son disappeared while on duty.”

Emperor Yonghe found it incredible.

He’d heard something of the Xie family’s third son—a mere minor Northern City Patrol Commander with a pitifully low rank.

Disappeared while on duty?

Emperor Yonghe’s expression darkened. “Has my realm become so unstable that even this can happen?”

With those words, which of the cabinet ministers dared remain seated?

…

The villa.

The pavilion.

Zhao Yishi stood with hands clasped behind his back, silent and contemplative.

Unable to wait, Pei Xiao said, “Huairen, we need to make a decision quickly. We can’t delay Xu Sheng much longer—if we do, he’ll grow suspicious.”

Zhao Yishi turned around. “What do you think we should do?”

“I…” Pei Xiao choked.

“Speak plainly. Tell me what’s in your heart.”

Zhao Yishi looked directly into his eyes. “Between us, there’s no need to hide anything.”

Pei Xiao pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Yan Sanhe is the wife I’ve chosen. If something happens to her, I have to save her. But you’re my good brother, and Xu Lai’s matter is important too. I’m torn to death right now—that’s what’s in my heart.”

“Shen Chong.”

“Master.”

Zhao Yishi: “Take six Eagle Guards with the best skills and rescue Yan Sanhe before everyone else arrives.”

“Wait!”

Pei Xiao spoke up before Shen Chong could. “Will it affect the overall plan?”

Zhao Yishi smiled—a refined, elegant smile. “What if it does? In my eyes, nothing is more important than you and Third Master.”

Damn it!

Who the hell could handle this!

Pei Xiao’s lips trembled, his voice shaking. After a long moment, he forced out through clenched teeth: “Zhao Huairen, are you trying to move me to death so you can inherit my Hundred Medicines Hall?”

Zhao Huairen shook his head and said to Shen Chong, “Go handle it!”

“Yes!”

“Huairen, Huairen!”

Pei Xiao stuck to him like a medicinal plaster. “When my wife and I get married and have our first son, he’ll call you Godfather.”

“We’ll talk about that when she actually becomes your wife.”

“Is there anything Young Master Pei can’t accomplish?”

He was boasting away when Yan Xi hurried in, lifting his robe. “Your Highness, there’s movement in the palace.”

Zhao Huairen’s expression grew serious. “Speak.”

“Cabinet Minister Xie has filed an imperial complaint.”

“Well done!”

Before Zhao Yishi could respond, Pei Xiao asked, “What did His Majesty say?”

Yan Xi: “His Majesty only said one thing: ‘Has my realm become so unstable?'”

Pei Xiao: “And then?”

Yan Xi: “Then he left the table.”

Pei Xiao frowned at Zhao Yishi.

It shouldn’t be like this. Given Xie Daozhi’s position and status, the Emperor should at least send people to help search.

Zhao Yishi knew what he was thinking and calmly replied with four words: “The Emperor’s heart is unfathomable.”

“Master Pei, Zhu Qing has returned.”

Pei Xiao quickly said, “Have him come over.”

The man came, but carrying someone on his shoulder.

Pei Xiao was also shocked. “You really knocked her unconscious?”

Zhu Qing looked helpless. “Master Pei, she’s stubborn as a mule. She wouldn’t listen to anything. I…”

“Put the young lady down before you continue.”

Hearing the Crown Prince Grandson speak, Zhu Qing quickly set Li Buyan down on the bamboo couch. Just as he was about to speak, he saw the Crown Prince Grandson gesture to him.

Zhao Yishi took a thin blanket from nearby and gently covered Li Buyan with it. “Come, let’s talk elsewhere.”

…

Western Mountain.

The estate.

“Brother Liu, look—footprints here.”

“Damn it, they climbed the wall and ran up the mountain.”

“Brother Liu, what do we do?”

“What else can we do? Chase them!”

The retainers quickly scaled the wall and headed up the mountain with their blades.

Yan Sanhe’s heart pounded wildly, all the blood in her body rushing into those dark eyes.

Though this hiding place had luxuriant leaves, if they really searched tree by tree, they’d definitely be found.

They couldn’t hide for long.

At this thought, she turned her face to look at Xie Zhifei, only to find his eyes already on her.

Moreover, his face was incredibly close.

Before she could savor this subtle feeling, Yan Sanhe turned her face back.

Xie Zhifei smiled, his dimples deep.

“Yan Sanhe.”

He lowered his head a bit, his lips falling near her ear, speaking almost in a breath: “If we’re discovered, don’t move. Remember that.”

What did that mean?

Yan Sanhe’s eyes widened as she stiffly raised her neck inch by inch to look at him.

“Just teasing you. Am I that kind-hearted?”

Third Master smiled slowly. “Share fortune, share misfortune. If I’m unlucky, you can’t escape either.”

You scoundrel!

The contempt in Yan Sanhe’s eyes was unmistakable.

Third Master burst out laughing.

Yan Sanhe’s eyes widened even more, full of rebuke: Are you insane? Aren’t you afraid of attracting them?

He was insane!

Third Master thought: Why do I want to tease her into laughter even at a time like this?